Abstract: Breastfeeding has been receiving much attention of late. Prolonged sitting for breastfeeding often results in back pain of the mothers. This paper reports the findings of a study on the effect of some factors, especially lumbar support, on back pain of breastfeeding mothers. The results showed that the use of lumbar support can reduce back pain of breastfeeding mothers significantly. Back pain was found to increase with breastfeeding time and the rate of increase was lower when lumbar supports were used. When lumbar support thickness was increased gradually from zero (no support) to 11 cm., the degree of low back pain decreased; rapidly at first, then slowly, and leveled off when the thickness reached 9 cm. Younger mothers were less prone to back pain than older mothers. The implications of the findings are discussed.
Abstract: In this work a new offline signature recognition system
based on Radon Transform, Fractal Dimension (FD) and Support Vector Machine (SVM) is presented. In the first step, projections of
original signatures along four specified directions have been performed using radon transform. Then, FDs of four obtained
vectors are calculated to construct a feature vector for each
signature. These vectors are then fed into SVM classifier for recognition of signatures. In order to evaluate the effectiveness of
the system several experiments are carried out. Offline signature
database from signature verification competition (SVC) 2004 is used
during all of the tests. Experimental result indicates that the proposed method achieved high accuracy rate in signature recognition.
Abstract: Perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) plants are cultivated for lawn constitution and as forage plants. Considerable number of perennial ryegrass genotypes are present in the flora of our country and they present substantial was performed based on a Project supported bu TUBITAK (Project numver : 106O159) and perannial ryegrass genotypes from 8 provinces were collected during 2006. Seeds of perennial ryegrass were collected from 48 different locations. Populations of turfgrass seeds in flowerpots to be 20 and 1 cm deep greenhouse were sown in three replications at 07.07.2007.Then the growth of turfgrass seedlings in the greenhouse in pots showed sufficiently separated from the plants were planted in each population. Plants planted in the garden of the observation scale of 1-9 was evaluated by the quality, 1 = the weakest / worst, 6 = acceptable and 9 = superior or considered as an ideal. Essentially only recognized in assessing the quality of the color of grass, but the color, density, uniformity, texture (texture), illness or environmental stresses are evaluated as a combination reaction. Turfgrass quality 15.11.2007, 19.03.2008, 27.05.2008, 27.11.2008, 07.03.2009 and 02.06.2009 have been 6 times to be in order. Observations made regarding the quality of grass; 3 years according to seasonal environments turf quality genotypes belonging to 14 different populations were found to be 7.5 and above are reserved for future use in breeding works.The number of genotypes belonging to 41 populations in terms of turfgrass quality was determined as 7.9 of 3 year average seasonal. Argıthan between Doğanhisar (Konya) is located 38.09 latitude and 31.40 longitude, altitude 1158 m in the set that population numbered 41.
Abstract: Today, computer systems are more and more complex and support growing security risks. The security managers need to find effective security risk assessment methodologies that allow modeling well the increasing complexity of current computer systems but also maintaining low the complexity of the assessment procedure. This paper provides a brief analysis of common security risk assessment methodologies leading to the selection of a proper methodology to fulfill these requirements. Then, a detailed analysis of the most effective methodology is accomplished, presenting numerical examples to demonstrate how easy it is to use.
Abstract: The promises of component-based technology can only be fully realized when the system contains in its design a necessary level of separation of concerns. The authors propose to focus on the concerns that emerge throughout the life cycle of the system and use them as an architectural foundation for the design of a component-based framework. The proposed model comprises a set of superimposed views of the system describing its functional and non-functional concerns. This approach is illustrated by the design of a specific framework for data analysis and data acquisition and supplemented with experiences from using the systems developed with this framework at the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory.
Abstract: Using spatial models as a shared common basis of
information about the environment for different kinds of contextaware
systems has been a heavily researched topic in the last years.
Thereby the research focused on how to create, to update, and to
merge spatial models so as to enable highly dynamic, consistent and
coherent spatial models at large scale. In this paper however, we
want to concentrate on how context-aware applications could use this
information so as to adapt their behavior according to the situation
they are in. The main idea is to provide the spatial model
infrastructure with a situation recognition component based on
generic situation templates. A situation template is – as part of a
much larger situation template library – an abstract, machinereadable
description of a certain basic situation type, which could be
used by different applications to evaluate their situation. In this
paper, different theoretical and practical issues – technical, ethical
and philosophical ones – are discussed important for understanding
and developing situation dependent systems based on situation
templates. A basic system design is presented which allows for the
reasoning with uncertain data using an improved version of a
learning algorithm for the automatic adaption of situation templates.
Finally, for supporting the development of adaptive applications, we
present a new situation-aware adaptation concept based on
workflows.
Abstract: Policies that support entrepreneurship are keys to the
generation of new business. In Brazil, seed capital, installation of
technology parks, programs and zero interest financing, economic
subsidy as Program First Innovative Company (PRIME) are
examples of incentive policies. For the implementation of PRIME, in
particular the Brazilian Innovation Agency (FINEP) decentralized
operationalization so that business incubators could select innovative
projects. This paper analyzes the program PRIME Business Incubator
Center of the State of Sergipe (CISE) after calculating the mean and
standard deviation of the grades obtained by companies in the factors
of innovation, market potential, financial return economic, market
strategy and staff and application of the Mann-Whitney test.
Abstract: This paper presents a conceptual model of agreement
options for negotiation support in multi-person decision on
optimizing high-rise building columns. The decision is complicated
since many parties involved in choosing a single alternative from a
set of solutions. There are different concern caused by differing
preferences, experiences, and background. Such building columns as
alternatives are referred to as agreement options which are
determined by identifying the possible decision maker group,
followed by determining the optimal solution for each group. The
group in this paper is based on three-decision makers preferences that
are designer, programmer, and construction manager. Decision
techniques applied to determine the relative value of the alternative
solutions for performing the function. Analytical Hierarchy Process
(AHP) was applied for decision process and game theory based agent
system for coalition formation. An n-person cooperative game is
represented by the set of all players. The proposed coalition
formation model enables each agent to select individually its allies or
coalition. It further emphasizes the importance of performance
evaluation in the design process and value-based decision.
Abstract: The paper relates to a catalyst, comprising copperchromium
spinel, coated on carrier γ-Al2O3. The effect of preparation
conditions on the active component composition and activity
behavior of the catalysts is discussed. It was found that the activity of
carbon monoxide, DME, formaldehyde and methanol oxidation
reaches a maximum at an active component content of 20 – 30 wt. %.
Temperature calcination at 500oC seems to be optimal for the γ–
alumina supported CuO-Cr2O3 catalysts for CO, DME, formaldehyde
and methanol oxidation. A three months industrial experiment was
carried out to elucidate the changes in the catalyst composition
during industrial exploitation of the catalyst and the main reasons for
catalyst deactivation.
It was concluded that the CuO–Cr2O3/γ–alumina supported
catalysts have enhanced activity toward CO, DME, formaldehyde
and methanol oxidation and that these catalysts are suitable for
industrial application. The main reason for catalyst deactivation
seems to be the deposition of iron and molybdenum, coming from the
main reactor, on the active component surface.
Abstract: This study has investigated the antidiabetic and
antioxidant potential of Pseudovaria macrophylla bark extract on
streptozotocin–nicotinamide induced type 2 diabetic rats. LCMSQTOF
and NMR experiments were done to determine the chemical
composition in the methanolic bark extract. For in vivo experiments,
the STZ (60 mg/kg/b.w, 15 min after 120 mg/kg/1 nicotinamide, i.p.)
induced diabetic rats were treated with methanolic extract of
Pseuduvaria macrophylla (200 and 400 mg/kg·bw) and
glibenclamide (2.5 mg/kg) as positive control respectively.
Biochemical parameters were assayed in the blood samples of all
groups of rats. The pro-inflammatory cytokines, antioxidant status
and plasma transforming growth factor βeta-1 (TGF-β1) were
evaluated. The histological study of the pancreas was examined and
its expression level of insulin was observed by
immunohistochemistry. In addition, the expression of glucose
transporters (GLUT 1, 2 and 4) were assessed in pancreas tissue by
western blot analysis. The outcomes of the study displayed that the
bark methanol extract of Pseuduvaria macrophylla has potentially
normalized the elevated blood glucose levels and improved serum
insulin and C-peptide levels with significant increase in the
antioxidant enzyme, reduced glutathione (GSH) and decrease in the
level of lipid peroxidation (LPO). Additionally, the extract has
markedly decreased the levels of serum pro-inflammatory cytokines
and transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-β1). Histopathology
analysis demonstrated that Pseuduvaria macrophylla has the
potential to protect the pancreas of diabetic rats against peroxidation
damage by downregulating oxidative stress and elevated
hyperglycaemia. Furthermore, the expression of insulin protein,
GLUT-1, GLUT-2 and GLUT-4 in pancreatic cells was enhanced.
The findings of this study support the anti-diabetic claims of
Pseudovaria macrophylla bark.
Abstract: This paper reports on the influence of surface-treated coarse recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) on developing the compressive strength of concrete. The coarse RCA was initially treated by separately impregnating it in calcium metasilicate (CM) or wollastonite and nanosilica (NS) prepared at various concentrations. The effects of both treatment materials on concrete properties (e.g., slump, density and compressive strength) were evaluated. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis was performed to examine the microstructure of the resulting concrete. Results show that the effective use of treated coarse RCA significantly enhances the compressive strength of concrete. This result is supported by the SEM analysis, which indicates the formation of a dense interface between the treated coarse RCA and the cement matrix. Coarse RCA impregnated in CM solution results in better concrete strength than NS, and the optimum concentration of CM solution recommended for treated coarse RCA is 10%.
Abstract: Productivity has been one of the major concerns with the increasingly high cost of software development. Choosing the right development language with high productivity is one approach to reduce development costs. Working on the large database with 4106 projects ever developed, we found the factors significant to productivity. After the removal of the effects of other factors on productivity, we compare the productivity differences of the ten general development programs. The study supports the fact that fourth-generation languages are more productive than thirdgeneration languages.
Abstract: Rural villagers in Thailand have unique skill for producing craft using local materials. However, the appearance and function of their products are not suited to the demand of international market. The Thai government policy on sustainable economy emphasises the necessity to incorporate a design strategy that will draw out the unique qualities and add value to the products, while raising the satisfaction of international consumer. As an industrial designer, the author sees opportunities that design can enhance sustainability of Thai local products through the potentials that available in village-based enterprises. This research attempts to address, how best use design to practically solve the problems in the development of Thais product in. The privilege solution is expressed through the design of design strategy that supports sustain economic development of microenterprise in Thailand in the way that aligns with product design development. This consideration integrates together with global business outlook in the development of products from rural communities.
Abstract: We focus on the excitation and propagation properties
of surface plasmon polariton (SPP). We have developed a SPP
excitation device in combination with a grating structures fabricated
by using the scanning probe lithography. Perturbation approach was
used to investigate the coupling properties of SPP with a spatial
harmonic wave supported by a metallic grating. A phase shift grating
SPP coupler has been fabricated and the optical property was
evaluated by the Fraunhofer diffraction formula. We have been
experimentally confirmed the induced stop band by diffraction
measurement. We have also observed the wavenumber shift of the
resonance condition of SPP owing to effect of a phase shift.
Abstract: The implicit block methods based on the backward
differentiation formulae (BDF) for the solution of stiff initial value
problems (IVPs) using variable step size is derived. We construct a
variable step size block methods which will store all the coefficients
of the method with a simplified strategy in controlling the step size
with the intention of optimizing the performance in terms of
precision and computation time. The strategy involves constant,
halving or increasing the step size by 1.9 times the previous step size.
Decision of changing the step size is determined by the local
truncation error (LTE). Numerical results are provided to support the
enhancement of method applied.
Abstract: IEEE 802.11e is the enhanced version of the IEEE
802.11 MAC dedicated to provide Quality of Service of wireless
network. It supports QoS by the service differentiation and
prioritization mechanism. Data traffic receives different priority
based on QoS requirements. Fundamentally, applications are divided
into four Access Categories (AC). Each AC has its own buffer queue
and behaves as an independent backoff entity. Every frame with a
specific priority of data traffic is assigned to one of these access
categories. IEEE 802.11e EDCA (Enhanced Distributed Channel
Access) is designed to enhance the IEEE 802.11 DCF (Distributed
Coordination Function) mechanisms by providing a distributed
access method that can support service differentiation among
different classes of traffic. Performance of IEEE 802.11e MAC layer
with different ACs is evaluated to understand the actual benefits
deriving from the MAC enhancements.
Abstract: The paper outlines the drivers behind the movement
from products to solutions in the Hi-Tech Business-to-Business
markets. The paper lists out the challenges in enabling the
transformation from products to solutions and also attempts to explore
strategic and operational recommendations based on the authors-
factual experiences with Japanese Hi-tech manufacturing
organizations. Organizations in the Hi-Tech Business-to-Business
markets are increasingly being compelled to move to a solutions model
from the conventional products model. Despite the added complexity
of solutions, successful technology commercialization can be achieved
by making prudent choices in defining a relevant solutions model, by
backing the solution model through appropriate organizational design,
and by overhauling the new product development process and
supporting infrastructure.
Abstract: Many companies have switched their processes to project-oriented in the last years. This brings new possibilities and effectiveness not only in the field of external processes connected with the product delivery but also the internal processes as well. However centralized project organization which is based on the role of project manager in the team has proved insufficient in some cases. Agile methods of project organization are trying to solve this problem by bringing new view on the project organization, roles, processes and competences. Scrum is one of these methods which builds on the principles of knowledge management to drive the project to effectiveness from all view angles. Using this method to organize internal and delivery projects helps the organization to create and share knowledge throughout the company. It also supports forming unique competences of individuals and project teams and drives innovations in the company.
Abstract: Frequent patterns are patterns such as sets of features or items that appear in data frequently. Finding such frequent patterns has become an important data mining task because it reveals associations, correlations, and many other interesting relationships hidden in a dataset. Most of the proposed frequent pattern mining algorithms have been implemented with imperative programming languages such as C, Cµ, Java. The imperative paradigm is significantly inefficient when itemset is large and the frequent pattern is long. We suggest a high-level declarative style of programming using a functional language. Our supposition is that the problem of frequent pattern discovery can be efficiently and concisely implemented via a functional paradigm since pattern matching is a fundamental feature supported by most functional languages. Our frequent pattern mining implementation using the Haskell language confirms our hypothesis about conciseness of the program. The performance studies on speed and memory usage support our intuition on efficiency of functional language.
Abstract: The paper presents the results of research on trends in shaping of multifamily buildings in Poland on the example of Wrocław, after Polish accession to the European Union. The study is conducted within the research project: “Trends in creating of multifamily housing development since 2004, on the Wrocław study case" supported by Polish Ministry of Science and Higher Education and will be completed in November 2011. The research involves multifamily buildings completed in the last decade, in term of fundamental urbanization factors such as: building-s coefficient area, useable area, green area (biologically active surface), intensity of building development, amount of dwellings, dwelling area, amount of parking places, numbers of floors, etc. The analysis of these indicators was conducted based on the date obtained in the study of approximately one hundred new housing units, completed in Wroclaw. The analysis attempts to formulate the main trends in creating of housing policy in Poland during the last 10 years in reference to local urban policy.